It’s tough on the coaches, they have seven spots to fill and probably 10 guys that are deserving. Tom Thibodeau complained about it Wednesday night (and he is one of the coaches you know actually fills out his own ballot, doesn’t hand it off to an assistant).

But still, people get screwed. Who got it this year? How about three from each conference:

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors. He is the initiator, the guy driving the Golden State offense, he’s scoring 20.9 points a game, dishing out 6.6 assists per game and is shooting 45.1 percent from three while taking nearly seven shots from there a game (he is the best pure shooter in the league). He’s grown his game as defenses have adjusted to him, he can put the rock on the floor and create space. What’s more, he’s made himself a good pick-and-roll defender. He’s led his team to a surprisingly good record and they are a playoff lock. I don’t think you can ask more of a guy.

• Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers. This is one a lot of fans wanted — the All-Star Game is an exhibition and J-Crossover is flashy and fun to watch. He’s also scoring 16.6 points a game, second best on one of the top teams in the NBA, and he’s the leader of the best bench group in the Association. It would be tough to take him over James Harden, Tony Parker or even Curry but he is playing the best ball of his career and winning and that should be rewarded.

• Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder. Ibaka made my list of guys I would have voted on the reserve team. He has developed a dangerous midrange game and is giving the Thunder 14 points a game on 56 percent shooting plus pulling down 8.3 points a game. And that’s not mentioning he’s really best on the defensive end of the floor where he is one of the game’s best help defenders. Ibaka has become a big part of what the Thunder do and some recognition would have been nice, I had him in just ahead of Zach Randolph, but the coaches saw it differently.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics. The fans voted in Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo as starters but the Celtics leading scorer at 18.9 points per game didn’t make it even as a reserve. More than just the leading scorer, he has kept the Celtics offense going this season and they would be lost without him. Or more lost. Granted, at 35 he’s not quite as spry as he once was but the guy create his own shot in the half court, he’s shooting 36.4 percent from three, he can get to the line, he’s efficient and he’s got a PER of 19. He’s still got it and in my book and he is still an All-Star.

• Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets. He has been the best offensive center in the East all season and a catalyst for the Nets transformation this season — when he plays they are a dangerous team. He’s averaging 18.6 points per game shooting 52.1 percent. And he’s grabbing 7.4 rebounds a game, although we can all admit that is not his forte. His defense has improved. He’s got a ridiculous PER of 25.4 — the kind of number that usually means lock All-Star.

• Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks. Jennings himself knew he likely wasn’t going to make the cut and it’s because it’s a numbers game — Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade were voted in by the fans as starters and it’s hard argue against the amazingly talented Kyrie Irving or Jrue Holiday, who has carried the Sixers in the absence of Andrew Bynum. But if you want to make the case that a guy leading his team to wins should get preference then Jennings deserves a spot as the Bucks are 22-18 and he is averaging 18.7 points and 5.8 assists per game, with a PER of 17.5.

No way. Aldridge is on par with David Lee at the moment, Blazers are outperforming expectations with 0 bench, plus he already was one and has only improved his role since so its hard to take it away after a better performance.

Agreed Aldridge was the least deserving of the Western reserves. Curry’s shooting and playmaking has been spectacular and Aldridge is getting major help from Lillard and Batum just to be an about .500 team. Curry wins this easily.

I agree Curry should be on the team, but not surprised because D.Lee was picked. Had a hard time thinking 2 warriors would make it after 1 turnarround season. If he keeps up his play, he should be penciled in next year WOAD

he didnt get snubbed the players at his position are just having a better season i wanted curry to make it but to many guards cp3 might not play his knee is acting up cp3 doesnt do anything at the all star game anyway

harden had a nice start but has cooled off n curry has been just as good n doesnt team record have anything to do if ur playing well

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors – Should have made it…though it’s hard for me to name a guard he should replace…I’m happy Lee made it at least.

Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers – Clippers already had CP3 and Blake Griffin, so I disagree that the Clippers “needed” a third All-Star. They’re a terrific team whose strength is balance, and they got 2 All-Stars. Crawford is fun to watch but is inefficient (shooting 41%), doesn’t do much in terms of assists or rebounds, and he is coming off the bench. If I can’t figure out which All-Star Stephen Curry should replace, there’s no guard on the roster worth replacing with Crawford. Like Harden with OKC, he’s not an All-Star, but Crawford remains a favorite for 6th man of the year.

Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder. One of the most improved players in the league, but I wouldn’t put him ahead of either Zach Randolph or Lamarcus Aldridge, so I’m “okay” with him not being an All-Star…though I expect he will be next year if he keeps improving.

Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics. 2 All-Stars from a sub-0.500 team are enough. It was either Rondo and KG or Rondo and Pierce. Fans went with Rondo and KG. Pierce has also been slumping recently, with his FG% dropping to 42%. I’ve got plenty of respect for Pierce, but his numbers aren’t great and his team isn’t winning…

Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets. Lopez has played really well. Still – while he’s improved as a defender and rebounder, he’s still primarily an offense-first player. He’s a 7-footer being outrebounded by Kevin Durant and LeBron James – I can’t get too upset he’s not an All-Star.

Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks. Jennings was not deserving. He’s shooting 40.9%, and his PER of 17.5 is barely above league average (15).

Curry and his glass ankles, please get off his nuts. He’s a chucker and a pure shooter, all at the same time. Their record is as good as it is bc they have KEY bench guys like jack/landry averaging close to 25pt/game. Also, Lee is a huge reason they’re winning. stephanie curry doesn’t get to take all the credit for winning.

A.Bynum says he expects to return arroun all star game. If thats the case he should be starting center for the east, if not him B.Lopez. Bynum is clearly the most center in the league. Look what happened to the Lakers once the mistakenly decided to get rid of such a game changer

I’m not going to sit here and say the Bulls deserve to have 3 all stars as they are not the #1 (or 2 or 3) team in the east. However a case can be made for Boozer. He leads the east in double doubles and is like 3rd or 4th in the league and is giving 17 and 10 a night. Not sure why the author would mention Pierce or even Jennings before him but reading previous opinions from this author it doesn’t really surprise me.